Electrically-assisted steering mechanism for vehicles
A vehicle steering mechanism includes an electrical power assist device connected with the steering shaft by an adjustable coupling, thereby to permit accurate perfect alignment between the output shaft of the power assist device and the steering shaft on the steering axis of the mechanism. One or more transverse connecting members may be provided between the flange portions of the swivel plate and the front face of the housing of the power assist device.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to coupling means for connecting electrical power assist means to the steering mechanism of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Steering mechanisms for vehicles are well known in the prior art, as evidenced by the patents of Applicant to Ben Rhouma, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,438; Duval, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,419,043 and 6,578,872; and Dufour, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,012; among others. Various devices for coupling together shaft components of a vehicle steering column are also known in the art, as disclosed in the patents to Marzio, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,489 and Courgen, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,448, among others.
It has been proposed to provide such steering mechanisms with electric motor power assist means, thereby to reduce the manual effect required to steer a vehicle.
The present invention relates to an improved device for connecting an electrically-assisted power assist assembly with an automotive vehicle steering column assembly. The steering column comprises a top column portion and an intermediate column portion. The top portion of the column is connected to the steering wheel. The intermediate portion of the column is connected, on the one hand, to the top portion of the column and, on the other hand, to the motion input of the steering box. To ensure that the steering column will function correctly with electrically-assisted steering means, the axis of the electrical power assist assembly must be perfectly aligned with the steering axis of the top portion of the column.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary object of this invention is to propose a device for coupling an electrical power assist steering assembly with a steering column assembly, which permits a perfect alignment of the two assemblies along the steering axis. At the same time, it permits easy installation in the existing structures using an assemblage that has a minimum axial size. The steering column assembly comprises a tube body in which is mounted a steering shaft that turns in accordance with a given steering axis, with the body of the column being mounted on a support arrangement that is integral with the structure of the vehicle.
According to another object of the invention, the column body includes a transverse wall with a transverse assemblage face extending generally normal to the steering axis. The electrically assisted steering assembly comprises a support face that is essentially normal to the steering axis. The entire assemblage is adjusted along three perpendicular axes Ox, Oy, Oz with the Ox axis being the steering axis that cuts the transverse assemblage face of the steering column at point O, the Oz axis being in the vertical plane of the steering axis and the Oy being in a plane perpendicular to the vertical plane. A swivel plate is so arranged that it will permit double rotation adjustment with respect to the Oy and Oz axes of the assemblage between the steering column assembly, said swivel plate, and said assemblage with the electrically assisted steering assembly. Connection means are arranged between the swivel plate and the support face of the electrical assisted steering so as to permit double translation adjustment with respect to the Oy and Oz axes of said assemblage. The swivel plate is arranged between the electrical power assist means and the column body.
Connecting means are arranged between the transverse wall of the steering column and the swivel plate. The connecting means comprise adjustment means arranged between the swivel plate and the support face of the power assist means, so that the axis of the power assist means and the axis of the steering column will be perfectly aligned with respect to each other according to the steering axis.
According to a more specific object of the invention, the swivel plate includes on one side a portion having the shape of a concave spherical crown of the Ox axis that surrounds a passage hole for the steering shaft. One side of the transverse wall comprises a portion in the shape of a spherical crown of the Ox axis, which surrounds a passage hole for the steering shaft. Each of the spherical portions is so arranged as to form spherical cooperation with respect to each other. Each spherical portion contains at least two passage holes for mounting the element between the transverse wall and the swivel plate. Each of the passage holes of one of the two spherical portions has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the corresponding passage holes of the other spherical portion, which are adjusted with the diameter of the corresponding assemblage element. This difference in diameter makes it possible to place and correctly fix the swivel plate upon the column body by double rotation adjustment with respect to the Oy and Oz axes. Advantageously, according to a further object of the invention, the spherical portion of the plate is concave and receives the convex spherical portion of the transverse wall of the steering column.
According to an important structural feature of the invention, each spherical portion of the swivel plate and of the transverse wall has four holes for the passage of the assemblage element arranged in an equidistant circular pattern. The passage holes of the spherical portion of the transverse wall has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the corresponding passage holes of the spherical portion of the swivel plate, which are adjusted with a diameter of the corresponding connecting element.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the connecting means between the swivel plate and the electrical assisted steering support face includes at least one transverse member with the corresponding assemblage means so as to provide double adjustment in terms of translation with respect to the Oy and Oz axes of said assemblage device. The transverse member is arranged between the swivel plate and the electrical power-assisted steering mechanism.
In this embodiment of the invention, the transverse member contains two series of passage holes arranged on either side of the plane of the Ox and Oy axes. Each series of passage holes includes a centering hole arranged and adjusted according to the Oy, Oz axes with a corresponding centering pin arranged on the support face of the electrical assisted steering assembly, at least one passage hole for the element used in assembling the transverse member with the swivel plate being equipped with a corresponding passage hole, and at least one passage hole that corresponds with the swivel plate with at least one passage hole for the element used in assembling the swivel plate with said support face of the electrically-assisted power steering assembly equipped with a corresponding fixing hole. The different passage holes of the swivel plate or of the transverse member have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the corresponding passage holes of the transverse member or of the swivel plate, which are adjusted to the diameter of the corresponding assemblage element. This difference in diameter is provided to make it possible to insert and correctly fix the transverse member on the swivel plate by double translation adjustment with respect to the Oy and Oz axes.
In this same structure of the invention, each series of passage holes for the transverse member comprises two passage holes of the two elements for the assemblage of the transverse member with the swivel plate equipped with two corresponding passage holes, and two passage holes corresponding to the swivel plate having two passage holes for the two elements used in the assemblage of the swivel plate with the support face of the power-assisted steering assembly equipped with two corresponding fixing holes. The passage holes of the swivel plate have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the corresponding passage holes of the transverse member, which are adjusted to the diameter of the corresponding assemblage element consisting of a rivet and which are adjusted to the diameter of the corresponding fixing element consisting of a screw.
Regardless, according to the invention, the transverse member is made of one element or two elements, which are arranged on either side of the plane of the Ox, Oy axes, each element comprising a series of passage holes.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the coupling means between the swivel plate and the support face of the electrical assisted steering include connecting means which are arranged between said swivel plate and said assisted steering support face to allow for double translation adjustment with respect to the Oy and Oz axes of said assemblage device. For this embodiment of the invention, the swivel plate has at least one passage hole, the three passage holes being arranged on either side of the Ox and Oy axes. Each of the passage holes that receives an element for the assembly of the swivel plate with said electrical assisted steering assembly support face is equipped with a corresponding fixing hole. The various passage holes of the swivel plate have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the corresponding assemblage element. This difference in diameter is provided to make it possible to put in and correctly fix the swivel plate on the electrical assisted steering assembly to provide for double translation adjustment with respect to the Oy and Oz axes.
In this same structure of the invention, the swivel plate includes two passage holes on one side of the plane and two passage holes on the other side of the plane of the Ox and Oy axes. Each of the passage holes receives an element for the assemblage of the swivel plate with the support face of the assisted steering assembly equipped with four corresponding fixing holes. The passage holes of the swivel plate have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the corresponding fixing element consisting of a screw.
The device for coupling of an electrical power assist assembly with a steering column assembly according to the invention thus offers the advantage of guaranteeing perfect alignment of the two assemblies with respect to each other along the steering axis. The device involved in the invention also offers the advantage of requiring a smaller number of parts that entail a small axial size and a low cost.
Moreover, the coupling device of the invention can be easily adapted to existing steering columns while allowing perfect alignment between the electrically-assisted power steering assembly and the column body assembly, which prevents any deleterious stress on the steering column.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring first more particularly to
As is known in the art, the steering column may be adjusted longitudinally and/or angularly relative to the vehicle body in accordance with the size of the vehicle operator.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The power assist means 10 includes a housing H having a front wall 21 that is generally parallel with and spaced from the end wall 15 of the support bracket 7. The housing front wall 21 contains a through opening 24 through which extends the output shaft 20 of the electrical power assist means 10. As best shown in
Coupling assembly 50 also includes a pair of transverse support members 41 and 42 that are arranged on opposite sides of the steering axis 3. These transverse support members are adapted to fit in corresponding flange portions 30a and 30b of the swivel plate 30, as best shown in
Referring to
Accordingly to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in
While in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.
Claims
1. A steering mechanism for a vehicle including a chassis, comprising:
- (a) a steering shaft having first and second ends, said steering shaft defining a steering axis;
- (b) shaft support means supporting said shaft for rotation relative to the vehicle chassis, said shaft support means including: (1) a tubular sleeve mounted concentrically about said steering shaft first end; (2) means including a support bracket said sleeve relative to the vehicle chassis, said support bracket including an end wall extending normal to said steering axis, said end wall containing an opening concentric with said steering axis, said wall opening being adjacent said steering shaft second end;
- (c) electrical power assist means including: (1) a housing having a front wall that is generally normal to said steering axis, said front wall being adjacent, generally parallel with and spaced from said bracket end wall, said housing front wall containing an opening (24) generally concentric with said steering axis; and (2) an output shaft extending at one end outwardly through said housing opening toward generally collinear with and spaced from said steering shaft, said output shaft one end being adapted for non-rotatable connection with said steering shaft second end; and
- (d) connecting means adjustably connecting said power assist means with said shaft support means to effect connection between said power assist output shaft one end and said steering shaft second end, said connecting means including: (1) a swivel plate arranged between said support bracket end wall and said power assist housing front wall, said swivel plate containing an opening (33) generally concentric with said steering axis, said swivel plate and said bracket end wall containing cooperating concave and convex semispherical portions extending concentrically about the openings contained therein, respectively; (2) first fastener means connecting said swivel plate with said housing front wall; and (3) second fastener means connecting said swivel plate with said bracket end wall; (4) said first and second fastener means being operable to permit swiveling angular displacement of said housing relative to said support bracket to a position on which the axis of said output shaft is exactly collinear said steering axis.
2. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjustable connecting means is operable to vary the angle of inclination of said housing front wall relative to said support bracket end wall about a pair of orthogonally arranged axes (Oy, Oz) that are normal to the axis (Ox) of the steering axis.
3. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said connecting means further includes at least one transverse connecting member arranged between said housing front wall and said swivel plate; and third fastener means connecting said transverse connecting member with said swivel plate; said first fastener means being operable to connect said transverse connecting member with said housing front wall.
4. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 3, and further including centering means for centering said transverse connecting member relative to the opening contained in said housing front wall.
5. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said transverse connecting member, said swivel plate and said housing front wall contain aligned openings that receive said first fasteners, at least one of said aligned openings having larger diameter than the other openings, thereby to permit angular adjustment of said swivel plate relative to said housing front wall.
6. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein said first fastener means comprises a screw, the diameter of the opening contained in said front wall corresponding with that of said screw.
7. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein a pair of said transverse connecting members are arranged on opposite sides of said steering shaft.
8. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said concave portion is carried by said swivel plate, and said convex portion is carried by said support bracket end wall.
9. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein said second fastener means extends between pairs of aligned second openings contained in said bracket end wall and said swivel plate, respectively, one of said second openings having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the other second opening, thereby to permit angular adjustment of said swivel plate relative to said bracket end wall in said orthogonally arranged axes (Oy, Oz).
10. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein said first fastener means extends through a pair of aligned first openings contained in said swivel plate and in said housing front wall, the first openings in said swivel plate having a greater diameter than the first openings in said housing front wall, thereby to permit angular adjustment of said swivel plate relative to said housing front wall.
11. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein said first fastener means comprises a screw, the diameter of the first opening contained in said housing front wall corresponding with that of said screw.
12. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein said concave and convex portions contain four aligned pairs of second openings, one opening of each said pair having a larger diameter than the other opening of said pair, said second fastener being a rivet the cross-sectional diameter of which corresponds with that of the smaller of said pair of openings.
13. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said first fastener means comprises four adjustment screws each extending through an oversized opening contained in said swivel plate and terminating in threaded engagement with a corresponding threaded bore contained in said housing front wall, two pairs of said adjustment screws being arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane containing one of said orthogonally arranged axis, two pairs of said adjustment screws being arranged in a plane containing the other of said orthogonally arranged axis and said steering axis.
14. A steering mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the end of said steering shaft adjacent said power assist shaft is tubular and is internally splined, the adjacent end of said power assist shaft being externally splined and extending within, and in splined engagement with, said internally splined tubular end of said steering shaft.
5582489 | December 10, 1996 | Marzio et al. |
5785448 | July 28, 1998 | Courgeon et al. |
5878832 | March 9, 1999 | Olgren et al. |
6183012 | February 6, 2001 | Dufour et al. |
6189405 | February 20, 2001 | Yazane |
6237438 | May 29, 2001 | Ben Rhouma et al. |
6389924 | May 21, 2002 | Ryne et al. |
6419043 | July 16, 2002 | Duval et al. |
6550568 | April 22, 2003 | Ross |
6782771 | August 31, 2004 | Oka et al. |
20040000781 | January 1, 2004 | Lange et al. |
Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 2, 2004
Date of Patent: Jun 6, 2006
Patent Publication Number: 20060000661
Assignee: Nacam France SA (Vendome)
Inventors: Philippe Daniel (Villiers sur Loir), Guillaume Briere (Vendome)
Primary Examiner: Tony Winner
Attorney: Lawrence E. Laubscher, Sr.
Application Number: 10/882,430
International Classification: B62D 1/00 (20060101);